Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that due to commercial gains caesarian operations in private hospitals are more than Government hospitals, if so, the details thereof; and
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government to check such type of greed?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): World Health Organisation (WHO) in its new statement released in April, 2015 has said that at population level, Caesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates however Caesarean section is a critical intervention in saving lives of mother and newborn and is based on the clinical judgment of doctor.
As per National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) data available for 18 states, caesarean section rate in private hospital is higher in comparison to public health facility. Across the 18 States, caesarean section rate in private sector ranges from 25.3% to 74.9% whereas in public facility it ranges from 2.6% to 40.6%. NFHS-4 data for 18 states is placed at Annexure.
(b): World Health Organisation (WHO) in its new statement released in April, 2015 has said that every effort should be made to provide Caesarean sections (CS) to women requiring C section based on clinical diagnosis, rather than striving to achieve a specific CS rate. At population level, Caesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates. Government of India (GoI) has already written to all States and UTs sharing the latest WHO statement. In addition, States have been informed to conduct periodic prescription audit in the private health facilities under the Clinical Establishment Act. They have also been informed that prescription audits can be extended to public health facilities.
A communication has also gone to Federation of Obstetrical & Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) which is the largest profession body of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in India for sharing the WHO guidance note to all their State chapters and the Obstetricians and Gynecologists registered under them.
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